Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-01-20

uuaintances OF the incoming and the re- !
firing governors, and sight-seers, whom |
the low fares Of the day have drawn
hither, have been pouring in by hundreds
from all parts of the Peninsula and from
Pennsylvania on regular and excursion
trains, besides the hosts that have driven
into town with vehicles of all ages, styles
and patterns from all over Kent county.
Wilmington is largely represented in the
throrg, while as for the home of the
Qoyernor-elect it must be nearly
depopulated One meets Middle
town men everywhere and they are full
Of the feeling that it is an even bigger
day for their community than II is for
Dover.
But little was done in either house of
the General Assembly during the interval
between its being called to order and tie
hour for the opening of the great event
of the day. 1t was an enlivening break
in this inactivity of expectancy when the
joint committee, Senators Ferguson and
Bacon and Representatives Norney, Jones
and Daisey, accompanied by the citizens
committee, Messrs. Thomas Clark, II. A.
Richardson, L. L. Clark, Robert Fergn-
son and h. R. Kenney, and escorted tiy
hundreds of the enthusiastic populace,
took up their march to the home of the
Hon. Eli Salisbury, 20 welcome the
governor elect and escort him to tho
State House, Here, in the presence Of
members of both houses and many others,
more formal welcome was rendered
ON behalf Of the General Assembly.
At the conclusion of the reception at
the State House the line Of march was
taken up to courthouse hall, where the
Inauguration ceremonies were held.
The day is enlivened by the music Of
the Middletown brass band which ar
rived about II O'Clock.
The sidewalks and steps of the court
house had been for some time swarming
with people eagerly awaiting the opening
of the door; each Que who, through
priority of presence or persistent pushing
had secured place we'll up front, being
bent on unyielding holding his advantage
on the outside until he had succeeded in
exchanging the same for an equally ad-
vantage position inside. When the doors
we're ut last thrown open there was
naturally q big rush and much rapid
pushing and crowding up the stairways
| and into the large hall, and the latter was
filed in very short time.
Meanwhile the governor elect and those
in attendance upon him had entered the
room by the rear and taken their seats
on the platform. When all the arrange
ments had been made ready, Speaker
Collins Of the Senate called the assem-
blage to order and the chaplain offered
up solemn prayer betting the occasion,
The journals of the Joint session OF
Thursday last, containing the official GER
titcation of the vote for governor, were
then read, followed by burst of music
from the band.
These preliminaries, us usual, attracted
but perfunctory attention, only serving
TO whet the interest of every one present
for the absorbing moment when, amid the
stiffness of suppressed expectancy, TIT
governor elect arose and, stepping to the
front Of the platform, placed his righ
hand on the fine old Latin Bible, printed
in 1892, upon which his predecessors hal
been sworn, and, in finely modulstet
voice repeated the following oath o
6ffhire administered
Chancellor Sauls0ury
ea.iattn Z pi.t, .E4!y sWea
on the Holy Eyansels Of Almighty God, thu
g | will support the constitution Of the Unite
States so help me God.
Benjamin +, Blggs, do solemnly swea
On thH Holy Evanges OF Almighty God, tina
4 Will SUPPORT tha constitution Of the stat
of Delaware, and that | will perform tn
9 inties Of the office with fidelity. So hel
i, me God.
o Governor Biggs then delivered his il
!. augural addreas as follows:
6 THE INAUGURAL.
: Gsriamea Of NE Senate and House 1
' Representatives. eiIoD citizens: The cor
r atilut.Un Of the United States requires tina
tic members Of the several stale lagisll
lures, and all executive and judicial officer
s both 81 the United States and of the sever
4 states shtll le bound by oath to suppOl
. that constitution. Tue constitution OF tb
= state fguires that ill such officers OF tb
& STATE shall be bound by oath or hfiirmatic
70 support the constitution Of this stat,
and ~ perform the duties OF their respeatiN
Officers with fidelity. These oaths hay
Z just taken in your presence. In eenerl
: terms they prescribe and limit my Ottiei
d duties.
i The neaessity aud pcnprety of the fir
, arises from the nature and character " ~
u complex system of government, state al
S Federal. The Federal constitution W
frened IN convention By delegates from II
several states, and afterwards ratified /
is conventions Of said states. TIE state
= therefore, being parties TO said constitute
7 Ii was necessary and proper that tht
g should be bound by tine most solemn obllg
ton 10 Observe and keep the same Hsu'
they agreed that allthelr officers, l'gislati'
b aud jHticlai, should be bound by oath
# affirmation to support the constltuti,
watch they through thsir delegates had tn
y framed and afterwards ra.ied.
n II is Il matter ~ Just priia to the peoI
| OF Delaware that an hpFI ftipArE nus dusi